Local fallen firefighters honoured at ceremony in Ottawa
Three local firefighters were remembered at the annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Ottawa Sunday.
In a stark reminder of the wildfires burning across the country and those who put their lives on the line to battle the flames, a made-in-Canada water bomber flew overhead during the ceremony.
Kitchener firefighter Michael Pierce, Brantford Platoon Chief Gary Stockdale and Brantford Deputy Fire Chief Robert Ruttan were honoured during Sunday’s event.
Of the 86 firefighters memorialized, 81 died as a result of occupational illnesses like cancer.
“We know that the extreme exposure to the toxic chemicals in these intense and frequent wildfires will have a negative impact on these first responders in the future,” House of Commons Deputy Leader Sherry Romanado said. “Today, as we gather here beside this powerful monument on La Bretton Glats, we honour 86 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Two Canadians have been killed fighting wildfires in British Columbia this year, while two other firefighters were killed battling wildfires in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
"We still are fighting fires across Canada and an unfortunate impact of that exposure is we expect to see more illness amongst the firefighters who are responding," said Sherry Romanado, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. "We are going to need ot make sure folks are supported and taken care of."
Flags across the country were lowered in honour of Firefighters National Memorial Day.
The Canadian Firefighters Memorial Ceremony at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa. Eighty-six firefighters were honoured during the annual service on Sunday. (Shaun Vardon/CTV News Ottawa)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.